Board Passes Gun Ban On Fairfax County-Operated Property

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — On early Wednesday, the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amending the county code to ban guns on Fairfax County-owned or operated property. The ban applies to the possession, carrying and transportation of guns, ammunition or components in Fairfax County-owned or operated buildings, parks, recreation and community centers, permitted events open to the public, and areas adjacent to those permitted events.

The ban is carried out through amendments to Chapter 6 of the Fairfax County Code governing weapons, effective immediately. A violation of the gun ban would be considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,500 fine. State legislation requires signage to be posted at the entrances to all areas where firearms, components and ammunition are prohibited.

The public hearing with a long list of speakers carried the meeting into Wednesday. Among the speakers were Moms Demand Action volunteers in favor of the gun ban and Virginia Citizens Defense League activists against it. The 9-1 vote came after 2 a.m., with Supervisor Pat Herrity voting against the ordinance.

The authority for localities to seek this sort of gun ban came with legislation approved by the Virginia General Assembly and signed by Gov. Ralph Northam. In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 35 and House Bill 421, allowing localities to prohibit guns in their buildings, parks, recreation centers, community centers and public spaces used for permitted events. Gov. Ralph Northam signed the legislation, and it took effect on July 1. The City of Alexandria became the first locality to use the new authority to approve a gun ban ordinance, and the City of Falls Church followed suit. Arlington County's own ordinance was approved over the weekend.

"Our Board’s decision to ban guns from government property takes us one more step in the right direction," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay in a statement. "For 24 straight years, the County Board has fought for this authority from the General Assembly and last year we finally got it. I was proud to be able to cast my vote in support of this ordinance."

The ban will apply to a public street, road, alley, sidewalk or other public right-of-way only when being used for a public event requiring a permit. The ban will also apply to buildings, parks, recreation and community centers owned run by entities created or controlled by the county such as the Fairfax County Park Authority. County policy already prohibits county employees, from possessing a firearm on county premises other than in a locked vehicle, except for employees authorized based on the nature of their work.

The prohibition would extend to properties run by NOVA Parks if all participating localities ban guns in parks and the governing board passes a resolution.

Exemptions for the gun ban include Reserve Officer Training Corps programs and other intercollegiate programs or club sport teams that use firearms, sworn law enforcement, security personnel hired or contracted by the county, educational programs and events with unloaded weapons, wildlife management activities, and the Bull Run Public Shooting Center operated by NOVA Parks.

State legislation allows for increased security measures such as metal detectors and security personnel to prevent unauthorized access to areas if a locality chooses to do so. Security enhancements may be made depending on board guidance or threat assessments and staff recommendations to the county executive.